Bucket arrangement with articulated gathering cover



Nov. 11, 1969 R. A. PETERSON 3,477,602

BUCKET ARRANGEMENT WITH ARTICULATED GATHERING COVER Filed Dec. 29, 1967 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Y INVENTOR.

ROBERT A. PETERSON N v. 1969 "R. A. PETERSON BUCKET ARRANGEMENT WITH ARTICULATED GATHERING COVER Filed D60. 29, 1967 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. I ,-\L, L\ -/ROBERT A. PETERSON Nov. 11,- 1969 R. A. PETERSON BUCKET ARRANGEMENT WITH ARTICULATED GATHERING COVER 3 Sheets-Sheet I5 Filed Dec. 29, 1967 INVENTOR. ROBERT A. PETERSON United States Patent 3,477,602 BUCKET ARRANGEMENT WITH ARTICULATED GATHERING COVER Robert A. Peterson, San Leandro, Califl, asslgnor to Caterpillar Tractor Co., Peoria, 11]., a corporation of California Filed Dec. 29, 1967, Ser. No. 694,695 Int. Cl. E02f 3/28, 3/40 U.S. Cl. 214-767 6 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A bucket arrangement comprises a bucketportion having an articulated gathering cover pivotally mounted thereon. Actuating means are provided for pivoting the articulated cover relative to the bucket portion for excavation and like purposes.

Standard excavating buckets oftentimes prove unsuitable for the efficient handling of rubble created pursuant to the demolition of buildings and similar structures. The rubble is not always positively retained in the standard bucket prior to the time it is emptied into a truck. Also, such buckets often prove unsuitable for sanitary land fill operations which require a bucket capable of crushing and handling bulky rubbish and the like.

An object of this invention is to provide a bucket arrangement having an articulated gathering cover arranged to expeditiously and efficiently perform operations of the type above mentioned. In particular, the bucket arrangement of this invention comprises a bucket portion having articulated first and second gathering cover portions pivotally mounted directly thereon. A first actuating means is operatively connected to the bucket portion and the first cover portion for selectively pivoting them relative to each other. A second actuating means is arranged to selectively pivot the second cover portion relative to the first cover portion to provide a wide variety of opening characteristics.

Other objects of this invention will become apparent from the following description and accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a partially sectioned, side-elevational view of the bucket arrangement of this invention as it would appear operatively connected to a conventional machine;

FIG. 2 is a partially sectioned, top plan view of the FIG. 1 bucket arrangement; and

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view, similar to FIG. 1, illustrating the bucket arrangement in an open or discharge position of operation.

The preferred bucket arrangement embodiment of this invention is generally indicated at 10 in FIG. 1. Such arrangement is pivotally mounted on spaced lift arms 11 by pins 12, the arms being suitably attached for vertical movements to a conventional machine 13. Control means (not shown) are arranged to selectively raise or lower lift arms 11 and thus bucket arrangement 10. Conventional tilt linkages 14 are suitably arranged in a conventional manner to pivot the bucket arrangement on the lift arms between the full line positions illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3, for example.

The bucket arrangement comprises a bucket portion 15 having a first cover portion 16 pivotally mounted directly thereon by spaced pivot pins 17. The pivot pins are suitably mounted in spaced brackets 18 secured to and forming a part of the bucket portion. The lift arms and tilt linkages may also be pivotally mounted to such bracket members. Spaced pivot pins 19 pivotally mount a second cover portion 20 on the first cover portion whereby the cover portions may be pivoted to the various 'ice phantom line positions illustrated at A, B and C in FIG. 1.

A first actuating means preferably comprises spaced hydraulic jacks 21 arranged adjacent to laterally disposed side portions of the bucket arrangement. The jacks are pivotally mounted on pivot pins 22 and 23 for selectively pivoting the first cover portion relative to the bucket portion. The first actuating means is preferably operatively connected at a second end of the first cover portion adjacent to the location whereat the second cover portion is pivotally mounted at pins 19 to the first cover portion. A second actuating means preferably comprises spaced hydraulic jacks 24 mounted on pivot pins 25 and 26 for selectively pivoting the second cover portion relative to the first cover portion to afford a wide variety of closing paths. The bucket portion further comprises a floor portion 27 having a substantially U-shaped crosssection and spaced end walls 28 suitably secured to, brackets 18.

The brackets are arranged substantially vertically when the bucket portion is maintained in its normal, ground engaging position (FIG. 1) and further arranged to extend above the floor portion. Jacks 21 are operatively connected at top ends of the brackets for purposes hereinafter more fully understood. The bucket portion is further fabricated to comprise a forwardly disposed cutting edge 29 of standard design. Additional brackets and the like may be integrated into the bucket portion to add further structural integrity thereto.

Referring to FIG. 2, first cover portion 16 comprises spaced plates 30 secured together by a plurality of tubular members 31. The first cover portion is pivotally mounted at its first end on brackets 18, adjacent to the location whereat the first actuating means is operatively connected to the brackets. Members 311 preferably have an inverted U-shape as viewed from the front of the bucket arrangement to provide a large carrying capacity when the arrangement is maintained in its FIG. 1 position. A first set of tubular spacer members 32 are secured between each inner plate 30 and each intermediate plate 33. j

A second set of tubular spacer members amassecured between each intermediate plate: and each outer plate 35. Plates 30 and 33 are constructed and arranged to substantially house actuating means 24 therein and to fix pivot pins 19 and 25 therebetween. Plates 33 and 35 are arranged to house actuating means 21 therein and to fix pivot pins 17 and 23 in position therebetween.

Each outer plate 35 preferably has a shroud 36 secured thereto to fully cover the actuating means to prevent debris or the like from falling thereon. A cross member 37 may be secured to members 31 to afford structural integrity thereto and to aid in preventing matter contained in the bucket arrangement from escaping through the first cover portion. Thusfit can be seen from the above description that the first cover member essentially comprises above described elements 30 through 37.

Second cover portion 20, pivoted by pin 19 on the first cover portion, is integrally fabricated to comprise end plates 41 secured together by a tubular member 38. The laterally disposed tubular member is further arranged to carry spaced brackets 39 thereon. The brackets are pivotally attached by pins 26 to the rod ends of actuating means 24. A front cover plate 40 is also secured to the end plates to form a substantially closed chamber with the bucket portion and first cover portion of the integrated structure (FIG. 1).

In operation, the bucket arrangement of this invention can be loaded with debris or the like while maintained in various operating positions. For example, the machines operator would normally approach material to be loaded with the bucket arrangement maintained in phantom line position A, illustrated in FIG. 1. The first and second cover portions are maintained in such open position by retraction of actuating means 21 and 24 via conventional control means (not shown). Extension of actuating means 21 will cause the forward extremity of the second cover portion to follow a substantially arcuate path until it reaches the B position.

Extension of second actuating means 24 will then cause the second cover portion to assume the full line position illustrated in FIG. 1 to initiate compression of the material within the bucket arrangements confines. Further extension of the second actuating means will function to move the second cover member further toward the bucket portion and first cover to assume the illustrated C position to fully compact the material. FIG. 3 illustrates another loading position which may be employed for various fill operations or the like.

The above described bucket arrangement provides a number of novel constructions, arrangements and functions when compared with prior art excavating bucket arrangements. For example, the closing paths of the articulated first and second cover portions may be varied selectively relative to each other by the operator to accommodate a wide variety of materials of various formations. The articulated gathering cover arrangement in combination with the bucket portion provides a volume within the integrated bucket arrangement which may be varied widely whereby large quantities of loose rubble or debris may be efficiently crushed, compacted and transported thereby. Also, the articulated cover portions facilitate raking of loose material into the bucket portion at cutting edge 29 thereof. The large throat clearances provided also assure enhanced clamping characteristics during loading and handling of bulky materials.

It should be further noted that the placement of actuating means 21 and 24 above and adjacent to the lateral extremities of the bucket arrangement effectively removes them from a location between the bucket arrangement and machine 13. At least two advantages accrue from such an arrangement. One advantage constitutes the location of the bucket arrangement close to the machine to thus improve machine stability as well as loader breakout force capability. Secondly, such an arrangement allows for the utilization of a larger bucket arrangement with the machine. In normal practice, the bucket is oftentimes made larger by extending the rear wall portion thereof toward the machine and around lift arms 12. Extension of the forward portion of the bucket would distract from the machines stability and decrease the available breakout force.

The bucket arrangement of this invention further provides for limited shearing forces to be imparted onto pivot pins 17. Also, actuating means 21 and 24 are fully protected in the manner more clearly illustrated in FIG. 2.

First cover portion 16 is constructed and arranged to have cross members 31 and 37 substantially cover bucket portion 15. Such an arrangement substantially eliminates the possibility of having timbers and trash thrown onto the machine and/or operator. Also, first compression and retention of debris contained within the bucket arrangement is assured thereby.

What is claimed is:

1. A bucket arrangement comprising a bucket portion having a forwardly disposed cutting edge thereon, a first cover portion pivotally mounted directly on said bucket portion, a second cover portion pivotally mounted to said first cover portion by pivot means disposed approximately vertically above said cutting edge when said bucket portion is maintained in its normal, ground engaging position, first actuating means operatively connected to said bucket portion and said first cover portion for selectively pivoting said first cover portion relative to said bucket portion and second actuating means operatively connected to said first cover portion and said second cover portion for selectively pivoting said second cover portion relative to said first cover portion.

2. The invention of claim 1 wherein said bucket portion comprises a floor portion and at least on bracket arranged substantially vertically when said bucket portion is maintained in its normal, ground engaging position and further arranged to extend above said floor portion, said first actuating means operatively connected at a top end of said bracket.

3. The invention of claim 1 wherein said actuating means comprises at least one hydraulic jack arranged adjacent to a laterally disposed side portion of said bucket arrangement.

4. The invention of claim 2 wherein said first cover portion is pivotally mounted at a first end thereof on said bracket adjacent to the location whereat said first actuating means is operatively connected to said bracket.

5. The invention of claim 4 wherein said first actuating means is operatively connected at a second end of said first cover portion adjacent to the location whereat said second cover portion is pivotally mounted on said first cover portion.

6. The invention of claim 1 further comprising a shroud arranged to cover said first and second actuating means.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,997,193 8/1961 Dunham 214 147 x 3,148,787 9/1964 Clark et al 214-147 X HUo'o o. SCHULZ, Primary Examiner US. 01. X.R. 214-145, 147 

